Definition:
Duress is a condition in which consent or choice is constrained by pressure, threat, or lack of viable alternatives.
Usage Context:
Used in legal definitions of consent, contract law, human rights analysis, and ethical critique.
Critical Note:
Duress is often narrowly defined to exclude economic, bureaucratic, or situational pressure. Consent obtained under constrained conditions is treated as valid despite being coerced.
Related Terms:
Background Coercion, Economic Precarity, Consent Dilution